Comic Review: Harley Quinn #59

In this review of Harley Quinn #59, it’s finally happening, the long-simmering romantic tensions between Harley and real estate mogul Althea Klang have culminated in a date to remember. Stuff happens, it’s fun, you’ll see.

HARLEY QUINN #59
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by CARLOS OLIVARES
Main Cover: YANICK PAQUETTE
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, INHYUK LEE, ELIZABETH TORQUE, CHRISSIE ZULLO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 2/25/26

This review contains spoilers 

Harley Quinn #59 begins from Althea Klang’s point of view as she prepares for a romantic night out with Harley in the form of personal journal entries with loads of construction metaphors (actually Harley Quinn #59 starts with the end of their seemingly disastrous first date, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves). Althea arrives at Harley’s place prepared to sweep our girl off her feet, complete with a limo and chauffeur (the brutishly lovable Amygdala).

The pair head to Synesthesia, a restaurant where Harley recently went up against a cluster of Clayfaces (or whatever they’re called). Harley and Althea swap stories about their past where Althea reveals that she grew up in Throatcutter Hill, but left before Harley went to college in the neighborhood. Harley feels awkward for not realizing this and considering Althea’s NOWEGOSOE makeover was from a local, not an out of town developer.

Making the situation slightly less awkward, the restaurant is suddenly besieged by Colonel Blimp (yeah, that guy). Harley calls him out for interrupting her date, (not for the robbery). Blimp goes to town greedily pilfering valuables from every patron (except Harley and Althea). Things go awry between Harley and Althea as they debate the merits of their own motivations.

Colonel Blimp’s heist is interrupted by the timely appearance of Harley’s heroically homeless ally, Chicken Fingers (yeah, that guy). CF and the Colonel trade fisticuffs (what would you  call it?) but things turn unexpectedly dark when Colonel Blimp guns down CF. An enraged Harley calls off the date and decks Colonel Blimp, requesting that Althea take CF to the nearest hospital. Klang sighs but agrees.

Harley Quinn #59 ends some time later at the hospital as Althea keeps watch over Chicken Fingers. Harley conveniently crashes through the window after attempting to stop Colonel Blimp’s mid-air escape. A battered and exhausted Harley falls asleep on Althea’s shoulder, making this the best date she’s ever had.

Analysis 

Harley Quinn #59 switches gears (or rather narrators), exploring Harley’s longtime frenemy crush Althea Klang and her own connection to Throatcutter Hill. Harley’s impression that Althea was just a snobby outsider looking to profit from gentrifying her neighborhood was off base (at least as far as Althea being an outsider). Both women ironically are attempting to save their beloved neighborhood through very different means, but their hearts are in the right place.

Harley’s admission that Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy) has her heart, despite their separation is a convenient way to explain Ivy’s own solo series path, but since both women are wary of betrayals, their tentative at best long term, long distance relationship suits them. Althea meanwhile is less of a broken individual, intending to sweep Harley off her feet on their first official date.

Writer Elliot Kalan balances the heartfelt sentiment with the requisite absurdity (Colonel Blimp and Chicken Fingers unintentionally crashing the date). Blimp’s shocked response to Harley’s presence is classic, as is Harley’s allowing him to do his thing (until the brawl between Blimp and Chicken Fingers gets dark really fast). Blimp mortally wounding CF was shocking but allows for Althea to showcase her softer side in escorting CF to the hospital.

Althea’s haranguing of the front desk nurse shows that she cares about Harley, but she has trouble expressing it in a healthy manner. Also that quiet shared moment in Chicken Fingers’ hospital room at the end of Harley Quinn #59 effectively sums up Harley and Althea’s relationship.

The debate over which of the two are the actual bad guy (Harley or Althea) was interesting, and Althea has a point about Harley (although Althea herself hired Ravage and the Gunbuddies as costumed enforcers).  Despite the story unfolding largely within the confines of an upscale restaurant, Harley Quinn #59 still benefits from the series’ typical mix of heightened absurdist reality, frenetic fast-talking and bonkers action.

Harley Quinn #59 has too many comical aspects to list fully, but Carlos Olivares continues to impress with more expressive and dynamic pages full of hilarity and/or dramatic tension. Harley’s clobbering of Colonel Blimp is a cool shot to single out, and those final few pages in the hospital add context to Harley and Althea’s feelings, even without the accompanying text. Olivares’ skill with facial expressions contrast the excited Harley with more collected Althea, while the dramatic entrances of both Colonel Blimp and Chicken Fingers are eye-catching and humorous.

Final Thoughts 

Harley Quinn #59 provides another entertaining chapter that focuses fully on Althea and Harley’s budding romance, while Althea’s reveal helps round out her character as more than just a frenemy and interloper for Harley.

Adam Koppel

Who strikes fear into the darkest of hearts in Gotham City? Not me, I'm too busy reading comics and writing reviews.